Naturopathic medicine combines the art and knowledge of traditional healing with the diagnostic tools of modern medical science. The overarching premise of Naturopathy is to maintain health and prevent the onset of disease. However, should a person's health be compromised, the Naturopathic Physician relies on five principles which provide the foundation for assisting the person in restoring and maintaining vibrant health.

1. First do no harm.
2. Act in harmony with the healing powers of nature.
3. Address the fundamental cause of the disease.
4. assess and heal the whole person through individualized treatment.
5. The physician as teacher.

A system of medicine which developed in Asia over thousands of years. Acupuncture is not just the use of needles to treat pain, but rather is a method to balance the body's energy through the use of herbs, needling of certain points and other physical means. It works through the flow of Qi (chi), in the meridian channels and organs of the body. By balancing and strengthening the body's Qi, a state of harmony and health arises. Through interview, feeling the pulses, looking at the tongue and other western diagnostic tools, the practitioner can determine which points require needle stimulation, or other treatment.

Group Acupuncture is a low cost follow-up treatment option. It takes place in a large room where one or two other people are also receiving treatment. Clients are scheduled every twenty minutes which allows time for them to check in with their practitioner and for the practitioner to administer treatment. Once the treatment is established the client can relax and enjoy while the practitioner moves on to the next client.

Even though the room is shared the experience is quite personal. There are screens and white noise machines to enhance the sense of privacy, as well as separate areas available for those who need to share information they would prefer to keep absolutely confidential. Most clients who experience Group Acupuncture prefer it over one on one treatment sessions, and for different reasons. For some it is the affordable cost, for others it is the availability of treatment times, and for others still it is the sense of community and connection that comes from the shared space of sacred time.

Chinese medicine is several thousand years old and has a deep tradition of herbal formulae. It is a highly systematized method of diagnosis and treatment based on understanding that the different physiological, psychological and environmental systems of the body are an integrated whole. Many Chinese herbal formulas are available in prepared forms and are easy to take.They are compatible with most other forms of medication and offer minimal risk of side effect. Almost all of the formulas that are used today have been used with sucess for hundreds of years, and modern research more often confirms than denies their clinical effectiveness.

Qi can be translated many different ways. Some of the english equivalents are Energy, Breath, Vibration, Vital Force. Gong translates more easily as Cultivation. When we practice Qi Gong we are Cultivating awareness of our Energy, Breath, Vibration, Vital Force, an awareness of the state of our Qi.

There are countless forms of Qi Gong that use movement, the breath and the voice, as well as stillness and concentration to bring our awareness to the state of our current condition and any blockages or imbalances that may occur there for the sake of releasing them and restoring balance within ourselves. Doing this will relieve mental and physical suffering and allow us to be more available to ourselves and those around us in each moment. It is possible to manifest the potential inherent within each of us if only we let it move.

Qi Gong classes are offered through Namaste Health Center throughout the year. Please stay tuned for specific times and dates.

Some of the classes to look forward to:

One Thousand Hands Buddha Qi Gong
One Thousand Hands Buddha is a sitting Qi Gong form developed over several generations within the Liu family lineage of Qi Gong. It utilizes simple and elegant mudra movements that work to open and clear the Heart meridian quickly leading to a calm mind, peaceful heart, and a sense of emotional and spiritual opening.

Walking Qi Gong
Walking Qi Gong was developed in China during the middle 1960's by a woman with uterine and bladder cancer who had been given six months to live. She remembered her grandfather had practiced Qi Gong for its health and longevity benefits an she began to research and develop her own practice. In the early 1970's she began teaching publicly in Beijing and today this form is practiced daily in parks all over China. It utilizes five different movement and breathing patterns that focus and calm the heart and mind and invigorate the blood and yang qi.

Jade Body Qi Gong
Jade Body Qi Gong is a form that is focused on the health of the spine. The breathing and movement patterns are designed to target the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae. By opening and unblocking the spine we activate the main conduit in the body for the movement and circulation of Vital Qi in order to alleviate pain and sooth the nervous system.

Nei Yang Gong
Nei Yang Gong means Cultivation of Internal Yang. This form focuses on the Lung and Kidney networks. These organs networks are associated with the seasons of Autumn and Winter, the times of year when Yang Qi is at its lowest and needed most. The movements help to tone and strengthen our core muscles, loosen the spine, and open stretch our hips and shoulders.

Turtle Longevity Qi Gong
By imitating the graceful movements of the Turtle this simple and gentle Qi Gong form builds awareness in the Lower Dan Tian, strengthens and lengthens the neck and spine, and creates the space for a deeply rooted Peace of Mind.

Resources
Qi Gong Association of America
American Qi Gong Association
Qi Gong Institute
Ling Gui International Qi Gong School

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that uses tiny doses of natural substances including plants, animals, and minerals to stimulate the individuals’ innate healing ability. We call this innate healing power the vital force or the healing power of nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae).

There are over 3,000 homeopathic remedies. The homeopath chooses one remedy that best matches the overall state of the individual. No two people with earaches present in exactly the same way. Usually they need two different remedies. If the remedy chosen acts, it will move the individual towards health without suppressing symptoms or causing side effects. Homeopathy is non-toxic and does not interfere with medications or herbs. It is one of the most cost effective and powerful medicines available today.

The medical science of homeopathy was founded by a German physician, Samuel Hahnemann about 200 years ago. It is being used extensively in Europe, Israel, and India. It is gaining popularity in the United States. Health professionals that practice homeopathy include Naturopathic Physicians, Osteopathic Doctors, Medical Doctors, Chiropractors, Veterinarians, and trained professional Homeopaths.

For more information about homeopathy:

New England School of Homeopathy
The National Center of Homeopathy
Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians

Pediatrics is one of the oldest specialties within Chinese medicine and dates from the early first millennium. Since that time, there has been continuous development in the diagnosis and treatment of children's diseases.

According to Chinese medicine, children are not just considered miniature adults. They are believed to be immature both physically and functionally, and most common pediatric complaints are due to this immaturity. Chinese medicine states that because children's bodies are immature and therefore inherently weak, they are primarily susceptible to diseases that affect the lungs such as colds, coughs, allergies and asthma; and the spleen (or digestive complaints) such as colic, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, and stomach aches.

Pediatric Chinese medicine techniques, as well as those further developed in Japan, have been shown to offer substantial clinical benefits to children who have been unresponsive to other forms of treatment. The treatment of these diseases using these techniques have less side effects and unlike modern medicine, are curative not palliative, as they aim to eliminate the pathology of the disease instead of controlling or suppressing the symptoms.

In Pediatric Chinese Medicine, there are four primary methods of treating children: Dietary Therapy, Herbal Medicine, Pediatric Massage and Acupuncture. At Namaste, acupuncture includes non-needling techniques like the Japanese technique of Shonishin.

Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of the most sophisticated herbal medicine systems in the world. It is very important, especially in the treatment of children that herbs are prescribed only by a licensed professional. Side effects of properly prescribed herbs are uncommon, and if they do occur are quite mild.

Dietary Therapy
Digestion plays such a pivotal role in the health and well-being of infants and young children. For this reason, food therapy is the first line of defense when it comes to childhood illness. The very diet that the average parent in Western society has been led to believe to be healthy for infants and children can be problematic according to Chinese Medicine. Most pediatric diseases can be either completely eliminated or markedly improved if a child's diet is modified.

Pediatric Massage
At Namaste, pediatric massage includes Infant Massage, Shiatsu and pediatric Tui Na. These gentle and safe forms of bodywork can be highly effective for treating commonly encountered pediatric diseases such as cough, constipation, chronic abdominal pain, dermatitis and asthma. Pediatric massage is specifically designed to prevent and treat pediatric disorders and uses specialized techniques and pressure points that are particularly beneficial for children. Chinese pediatric massage is useful for treating children up to 8 years of age, however, the younger the child is, the more effective pediatric massage can be.

Acupuncture / Shoni-shin
In general, acupuncture is not often used in the treatment of children especially under six years of age. In Chinese Medicine, the primary modalities used in pediatrics by the Chinese doctor are herbal medicine and massage. However, pediatric acupuncture, called Shoni-shin, is a type of acupuncture specifically designed for the treatment of children, which does not penetrate the skin.

This treatment works wonders for common respiratory and digestive ailments. It can enhance circulation and relaxation, thereby improving health in general.

Shoni-shin is a form of bodywork that makes use of small metal tools designed to bring qi to the surface, help it move by "spreading" it along the channels, and stimulate specific acupuncture points. There are about a half-dozen different tools in a shoni-shin kit, none of which penetrate the skin. A shoni-shin treatment can be performed in 10 to 20 minutes depending on the age of the child and the severity of the illness.

In Pediatric Chinese Medicine, healing focuses on balancing the qi of the internal organs by taking into account both physical and emotional symptoms. Children are generally more susceptible to getting sick, but they are also quicker to heal. For most common pediatric complaints, complete healing can be attained through herbal medicine, dietary changes, and the use of simple massage techniques. The goal of all pediatric treatment is to restore balance and harmony to a child.

Modified from Laura L. Ecklund’s article “Treating Children with Traditional Chinese Medicine”

Detoxification is the body's natural process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins via the digestive system and liver, the kidneys, the lungs, and through perspiration from the skin. Each year people are exposed to thousands of toxic substances such as chemicals, pesticides, food additives, solvents, pollutants, and heavy metals. They are in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. These substances are not only found in the environment that we live in, but many toxic substances are created by the body's normal processes such as digestion or recovering from a strenuous workout. Toxic substances can take their toll on the body and create a variety of symptoms, including decreased immune function, neurological disorders, hormonal dysfunction, psychological disorders, and even cancer. The body has a limited capacity to deal with these toxic substances, the remainder of which are then stored in the tissues. There is a very delicate balance between the body's ability to successfully detoxify and the burden of toxins that the body has to deal with on a daily basis. When toxins accumulate in the body, symptoms typically appear. The ability to detoxify and eliminate toxins largely determines an individual's health status. Detoxification therapy helps rid the body of chemicals, pollutants, and other toxic substances in order to facilitate a return to normal health and vitality.

Although one of our first priorities is to help the body heal through diet and lifestyle changes, there are some instances where it is beneficial to add in extra nutrients using intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) nutritional support. This type of therapy can be useful for many different symptoms and disease processes, from restoring balance by treating a simply B12 deficiency to customized formulas designed to treat complex diseases that can affect the immune system. These could include, but are not limited to Lyme’s disease, Epstein-Barr infection, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis (or any other auto-immune disease), and cancer. Fatigue due to adrenal exhaustion can also benefit from nutritional IV’s that contain B complex, vitamin C, magnesium and other minerals to support adrenal function. A basic IV with electrolytes can be perfect for an individual suffering from temporary dehydration during the flu or food poisoning. A hydrating IV with amino acids can also be a great addition to a sports nutrition program for endurance athletes that want to take their results to the highest possible level. If caught at first sign of symptoms, a nutritional IV can be a perfect way to ward off cold and flu, or as a preventative boost for the immune system. A nutritional IV takes about an hour to infuse, however for a super quick boost for the immune system, a Wellness injection is the perfect solution! These are a big hit during the fall/winter months and use a combination of B12 and specific immune boosting homeopathics that can be given as a quick IM shot in the arm in less than 5 minutes!

Colorpuncture Light Therapy is a treatment in which colored light frequencies are used to stimulate healing responses in the body and mind. The originator of this technology is a German naturopath, who has conducted over 35 years of intensive empirical research in developing his work. He has created a unique system of energetic healing by combining traditional healing modalities from around the world.

Our lives on this planet greatly depend on having light in many ways. In addition to growing the food we eat, to vitamin D production; we have known for some time that light can have many therapeutic benefits. White light can be broken down into each color of the spectrum, which in turn is represented by different wavelengths. We are still on the threshold of fully understanding the complex relationship between light and life. However, there are many scientific theories to support these various wavelengths of energy help restore cellular communication to support the body’s own innate healing processes. 

During this treatment, frequencies of colored light are focused directly on the skin by using a light tool with specifically designed interchangeable glass rods. Each colored rod emits light at a different wavelength and stimulates intracellular communication as the light is absorbed by the skin. This treatment is painless and no heat is emitted from the light source.

Colored light therapy is a powerful tool for addressing the very roots of illness at emotional, mental and spiritual levels.  The treatments may be used acutely to boost the immune system during an infection, and may also seem to have a cumulative effect when treating more chronic conditions. Many of the treatments work to support the brain in clearing and processing traumatic imprints that can result in pain or disease.

This unique therapy can be used to treat these, as well as many other health concerns: acute or chronic pain, sinus congestion/infection, allergies, heartburn, IBS, back pain, auto immune disease, hormone imbalances, thyroid dysfunction, fatigue, cancer, anxiety, depression and PTSD.

As a part of Naturopathic medicines wholistic approach, we utilize modern lab tests to assist in our diagnosis. Ask your practictioner about blood test options and other tests that are available.

Though water therapy has been documented as early as 4000 BC, it wasn’t until the early 1800’s in Germany when a farmer named Vincent Preissnitz used cold wet compresses to heal his wounded hand and fractured ribs. Because of his own powerful healing response, he began applying it to family, friends, neighbors and livestock and hence, hydrotherapy as a healing discipline was born.

Hydrotherapy is considered a basic cornerstone of naturopathic medicine used to trigger the basic healing mechanisms of the body. Applications of hot or cold water, steams, cold friction rubs, tepid baths, and the alternating of these improve circulation to the desired area.

Constitutional hydrotherapy is the alternating applications of hot wet towels and cold wet towels and used for almost every condition. It allows you to direct and improve blood flow to specific areas of the body that need attention. Combined with appropriate dietary changes, herbal medicine and other naturopathic treatments, you can achieve a very powerful healing effect.

Here’s what to expect: While you lie on your back on the table your bare chest and abdomen will be covered with two thicknesses of terry cloth dunked in comfortably hot water and wrung out. You’ll then be covered with a woolen blanket to ward off the chills.

After five minutes, the hot towels will be removed and replaced with a single thickness of towel dunked in cold water and wrung out, and you’ll be re-covered with the blanket. The cold towel will be left in place for ten minutes.

Finally, you’ll then be asked to turn over, and the same treatment will be repeated on your back. Often, sine wave electro stimulation (feels like a gentle squeeze and release of your muscles) will be applied to the back adjacent to the T7 region (near the base of the shoulder blades) and later to the area near L4 (lower back) and on the abdomen in the center of the solar plexus (above the belly button). This addition increases the strength of the treatment and is utilized on an individual basis.

This additional stimulation pumps the lymphatics in the abdomen, stimulates the nerves in the region that innervate the vital organs of the digestive tract, support elimination of waste matter and allows the body to go into a parasympathetic state, also known as the relaxation state and the state in which your body heals.

This is a non-invasive way to support the body’s healing processes. It has been clinically proven to detoxify the digestive tract, reduce inflammation and improve the composition of the circulating body.

Constitutional hydrotherapy treatments are commonly used for infection anywhere in the body, digestive disorders, skin conditions, childhood complaints, women’s disorders, fatigue, chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, depression, asthma, thyroid, liver disease, stress disorders and to support the body during a cancerous process.

The protocol is recommended on an individual basis as well. Typically, treatments are 2 times a week for a period of time. Acute illness, or the early onset of cold/flu usually requires one or two treatments back to back. Otherwise, more chronic conditions usually require a series of 6 or 15 depending on the situation. Occasionally, for more severe cases, a few series of 15 are required. Simply stated, constitutional hydrotherapy “remakes the blood”. Once the blood is vitalized, normal metabolism follows and hence, health is restored.

A Digital THERMOGRAM is a heat-sensing camera that develops a color image on a computer screen, based upon temperature differentials on the surface of any area of the body. A woman imaging her breasts simply has to stand or sit in front of the camera, and within 12 seconds an image appears on the computer. It doesn't have physical contact with the body and doesn't introduce ionizing radiation into the body, as is done during Mammographic Imaging (which some people believe can provoke a malignancy to form).

Contact our office for the next scheduled round of thermography in Durango.

Far-Infrared, also known as radiant heat, simply a form of energy that heats objects directly through a process called conversion. We cannot see this band of light with the naked eye, but we can feel this type of light in the form of heat. Our sun produces most of its energy in the infrared segment of the spectrum.

Regular use of an infrared sauna can help with cardiovascular conditioning, detoxification, stress management and insomnia. It can also help with ailments associated to some degree with poor circulation such as Arthritis, Sciatica, Backaches, Hemorrhoids, Diabetes, Varicose Veins, Rheumatism, Strained Muscles, Fatigue, Stretch Marks, Menstrual Cramps, Cellulite and Skin Conditions.

Sweating is as essential to our health as eating and breathing. It accomplishes three important things: rids the body of wastes, regulates the critical temperature of the body at 98.6 degrees and helps keep the skin clean and pliant. Sitting in a sweat bath could be the most vigorous activity you’ve had all day. The heat produces an artificial “fever” and urges every organ of the body into action. While outwardly relaxed, your inner organs are as active as though you were jogging or mowing the lawn. At the same time, you are being cleansed from inside out by the skin, your body’s largest organ and its excretion, sweat.

Our Far-Infrared Sauna is ready for use. Sauna sessions can be purchased individually or by the pre-paid package price. Call the NHC office for pricing and sauna hours.

Wholistic Kinesiology is a unique brand of manual bio-feedback that utilizes muscle resistance testing to evaluate health on all levels. This comprehensive approach detects weaknesses in structure, bio-chemistry, mental/emotional health and more. Modalities include, but are not limited to, supplement evaluation, dietary modification, food allergy testing, flower essence therapy, cell salts, EFT, essential oils and much much more.